Bills Sign RB Ty Johnson for Depth: 'I've Had Some Dark Days'
The Buffalo Bills are adding to their backfield on Monday, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is reporting that the team is signing former New York Jets and Detroit Lions running back Ty Johnson after hosting him for a workout.
Johnson, a sixth-round pick by the Lions in 2019 out of Maryland, has posted 208 carries for 925 yards and four touchdowns along with 86 catches for 668 yards and three touchdowns in 62 career games.
Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Jets in March, but they released him a month later. He tore his pectoral muscle early in the offseason, which the Bills cleared him on. However, per Johnson, the Jets told him to get surgery to fix the injury and then cut him after the procedure was completed.
He admitted he's had some "dark days" as a result.
"I’ve had some dark, dark days, man," Johnson said. "Told them [about the injury]. I told them even before this, I was like: ‘hey, was working out, [the torn pec] happened’ — saw the team doctor, he was like — ‘you need to get it fixed.’ Flew out the next day [to get surgery]. Came back happy that I got it done, even though I didn’t want to get it done. That following Wednesday, you’re outta there!"
Regardless, the Bills signing Johnson is a tad unexpected considering the additions the team made earlier this offseason to address running back depth. Buffalo added veterans Latavius Murray and Damien Harris on one-year deals at the start of free agency. However, Johnson's ability as a receiver could help with the loss of Nyheim Hines, who operates as a third-down back but is now out for year with an ACL injury.
The Bills will face Johnson's former Jets team on Monday, Sept. 11 to begin the regular season.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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